Description

Includes 16 lessons on 8 CDs

About the Swahili Language

Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is a Bantu language spoken by approximately 50 million people, of which approximately 2 million (some estimates are as high as 5 million) are native-speakers living mainly along the East African coast from Somalia to the North Africa coastline of Madagascar.

This course teaches Standard Swahili as spoken in and around Kenya.

Swahili is an official language in Kenya and Tanzania and is the considered the linga franca in much of East Africa. It is also spoken in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), Mayotte, Mozambique, Oman, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and the USA.

Written Swahili uses 24 letters from the Roman alphabet, excepting Q and X. The letter C is only used as a combination, making a “Ch” sound.

This course replaces our original Compact Swahili with new and expanded vocabulary, scenarios, grammar and structures.

Essential grammar and vocabulary that teach you greetings, numbers, how to order food and drink, deal with currency, scheduling a meal or meeting and to give and ask for directions. Learn to speak with near-native pronunciation skills.

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Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is a Bantu language spoken by approximately 50 million people, of which approximately 2 million (some estimates are as high as 5 million) are native-speakers living mainly along the East African coast from Somalia to the North Africa coastline of Madagascar.

This course teaches Standard Swahili as spoken in and around Kenya.

Swahili is an official language in Kenya and Tanzania and is the considered the linga franca in much of East Africa. It is also spoken in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), Mayotte, Mozambique, Oman, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and the USA.

Written Swahili uses 24 letters from the Roman alphabet, excepting Q and X. The letter C is only used as a combination, making a “Ch” sound.

This course replaces our original Compact Swahili with new and expanded vocabulary, scenarios, grammar and structures.

Essential grammar and vocabulary that teach you greetings, numbers, how to order food and drink, deal with currency, scheduling a meal or meeting and to give and ask for directions. Learn to speak with near-native pronunciation skills.

I either sit down with our CD player in the sunroom and work through the lesson or I play it on our car's CD player as I drive from one appointment to another. I wouldn't try to do this while driving on the interstate or during the rush hour but it works well while driving on the less traveled roads as I go about doing business.

I'm 70-years old and a retired school teacher. I really work hard to achieve the 80% mastery that is recommended so I take one lesson per week. Yes, it takes me 3 1/2 hours per week to reach the 80% level. My wife laughs but the time I spend learning a new language is worth it to me.

I've indicated that the lesson are "Fun" but be warned learning auditorally is hard work. I now wonder how I ever learned to speak English as a baby.

Each lesson is challenging, but I am continually surprised by how much I've learned when I move on to the next lesson. The only product I've used that has taught me how to speak instead of memorization.

I love hiking around the world and love to interact with people where ever I go. I have a 40 minute commute to work every day. Listening and practicing in my car is an easy and time efficient for me to learn something new. I have used the French and Italian lessons before and I have always been able to navigate, politely , around local towns without having to be led by a guide. I am a Pimsleur fan.

Pimsler has figured out how to teach a language! Truely, a product designed for the busy professional that does not have time to sit in class. This is not parroting but a integrative way to learn vocabulary, practice grammar and refine pronunciation by native speakers. I listen to the CD's during my daily commute and everyday errands. Which is great so I don't bother others as I speak out loud. The convenience of replaying a lesson is invaluable and as easy as one push of a button. Buy this product, you won't be disappointed. I've learned more in four lessons (Kiswahili) than I did in one month of a traditional University setting.